The Beds of Water Bodies chapter relates to activities that occur in rivers, streams, and lakes, that could disturb the bottom. These activities include gravel extraction, channel maintenance for flood protection, the removal or introduction of plants, and drainage, and can cause loss of natural wetland and rivers from source to sea. Some activities and structures in the beds of water bodies will require greater restrictions to ensure the wellbeing of water and habitat. National policy requires no loss of extent or values of rivers, except in some specific situations. In cases where adverse effects cannot be avoided, we need to consider how to restore the environment. An effects management hierarchy must be applied – avoid, mitigate, and offset. This means we are likely to require resource consent applicants to demonstrate that they have first sought to avoid and minimise effects of fish passage, and if not, they provide offset mitigation or compensation. As one example, flood protection along our region’s rivers are essential to protecting our communities, however, the Te Mana o te Wai obligations hierarchy means we must consider how this effects the environment first. Therefore, we may require more comprehensive assessments of these activities to consider and address impacts. Within the Beds of Water Bodies, we will also be including standards for fish passage.

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